2019 was a particularly important year as a baseline because it showed trends that were evolving globally before massive dislocations from Covid-19.
Continue readingUS Exports of LNG Drop in February 2020
Sharp Drop in Polyethylene Exports From Singapore and Korea to China in February 2020
Exports of ethylene polymers to China accounted for more than half of Singapore’s and Korea’s total exports in 2019 but shipments to China from both countries plummeted in January, and, especially, in February, the most current month available.
Continue readingUS Exports of LNG Continued To New Highs in January 2020, Volume Doubling From the Prior January
The US exported 5.4 million tons of LNG in January 2020, up 99% from January 2019 on much higher volumes to traditional markets, plus shipments to new markets.
Continue readingUnited States Exports of PE Trended Higher in January 2020
After slowing in November, 2019, US exports of ethylene polymers climbed in both December and January 2020. Little impact on volumes and prices from the corona virus is expected in US export statistics for February, with March and following months affected more severely.
Continue readingIncreased PE Imports Into the EU-28 from the US in 2019 Reduced Imports from Saudi Arabia
Imports into the EU from the United States of ethylene-alpha-olefin copolymers (EAOC) trended strongly higher in 2018 and 2019, while volumes from Saudi Arabia declined.
Continue readingIran Increases Exports of Polymers in 2019
Exports out of Iran, visible from trading partner imports, were up 23% for ethylene polymers in 2019, 28% for styrenic polymers, and 5% for vinyl polymers. Exports of propylene polymers fell.
Continue readingHuge Increases in Western Europe’s Imports of Ethylene and Propylene in 2019 from North America, Latin America and Middle East
Imports of ethylene into Western Europe increased by over 200% in 2019 versus 2018, and imports of propylene jumped 70%, based on latest statistics from reporting countries.
Continue readingChina’s Imports of Ethylene Polymers were up 19% in 2019; Imports of Propylene Polymers were up 9%.
Small Drop in China’s Tariffs on Polymer Imports from US
As of February 14, 2020, China will knock 2.5% off the punitive tariffs applied on imports of many polymers from the US. Most of the tariffs have been in effect since 2018.
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